Google named the 2002 brand of the year is trying to tone down its "generic" brand synonymity with Internet search, reports boston.internet.com. Google's intellectual property lawyers sent an official letter to Word Spy.com to reframe their definition of Google: "google (GOO.gul) v. To search for information on the Web, particularly by using the Google search engine; to search the Web for information related to a new or potential girlfriend or boyfriend.", reports boston.internet.com. Word Spy rephrased by adding on the trademark sign to Google; thus emphasizing that Google is a company not a verb.

Brandchannel.com: Google ranks first: 2002 brand of the year results (February 10, 2003): http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?id=143
Boston internet.com site: http://boston.internet.com/
Wordspy.com: http://www.wordspy.com/
Wordspy.com revised definition of Google: http://www.wordspy.com/words/google.asp